These interesting and inexpensive little speakers can be decorating your desk soon. All you need are two jars, the speaker parts from Radio Shack, and the ability to use common DIY tools.

Design student Sarah Pease created this "audioJar" based on MIT's David Mellis's Fab Speakers. Her take on the open-source speaker design is very simple and also flexible—you can customize the look with different types/sizes of jars and feet other than the blocks of cork.

Check out the Fab Speakers page for materials needed and tools. Mellis says the hardest requirement is access to a laser cutter, but you can get the parts cut from a laser cutting service. Mellis's version are portable speakers powered by three AAA batteries.